SIALKOT: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) is implementing five new projects across the country, costing Rs 3.217 billion, under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Official sources told APP on Sunday that under the programme, Rs 907.2 million had been set aside for the financial year 2017-18 for initiating work on these projects.
They said that lack of infrastructure and technology were major constraints which were hindering SME productivity and competitiveness. In order to cope with the challenges and to have a demonstration effect through modern technologies, the SMEDA has been implementing projects under the PSDP across the country to facilitate the SME sector.
The projects were National Business Development Programme for SMEs across the country; Fruits, Vegetables and Condiments Processing Centre, Naushero Feroze; Product Development Centre for Composite Based Sports Goods Sialkot; and Fruit Dehydration Unit Swat and Business Skill Development Centres for Women at different locations. The concept of establishment of PSDP projects was to accelerate SME growth in their respective sectors.
The National Business Programme is a national project that aims to provide support to SME sector through a mechanism to help SMEs in undertaking an important role in the global market by increasing export capacities, providing access to valuable information, developing networks and promoting internationalization and innovation, they said.
The other projects specifically will focus on horticulture, sports goods industry and women entrepreneurship development, sources added.
